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Queery: Ebone Bell

The local lesbian events promoter answers 20 gay questions

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Ebone Bell (Blade photo by Michael Key)

Ebone Bell, 28, has vivid memories of her first performance. The lifelong Michael Jackson fan was prepping a routine for her pre-school talent show and worked out a routine aping Jackson’s moves — complete with crotch grabs — to “The Way You Make Me Feel.”

“My mother was horrified,” Bell recalls with a laugh. “She went to the other extreme and put me in a pink polka-dot dress with a bow in my hair, but it was still fun.”

Bell, who was born in Pittsburgh but since age 2 has been in the D.C. area, joined the D.C. Drag Kings in 2002 and formed her alter ego E-Cleff who lip syncs to songs by Usher, Justin Timberlake, and, of course, the late Mr. Jackson.

“I love the illusion,” she says. “I like it because first of all it’s fun, but I also like the idea of being very fluid about gender. I’m very comfortable as Ebone, but I also like another persona so instead of being nerdy, straight-laced Ebone, I can be E-Cleff, who’s a womanizer and very smooth. It’s really cool to be something you’re not.”

Bell started an eponymous marketing company in 2005 but changed it to B.O.I. Marketing & Promotions (“Bringing Out Ideas”) in 2006 with a business partner who eventually moved out of the area leaving it fully in her hands again. About 95 percent of her clients are from the LGBT community. And in March she plans the fifth anniversary of Capital Queer Prom, an event she began that’s become one of the District’s signature LGBT events each year.

She also does ladies’ night events at various bars (every Wednesday at Fab Lounge and the first Friday of each month at MOVA). She worked B.O.I. full time in 2008 but rougher financial waters since then have required supplemental income. She’s temping now doing marketing work for AARP. Bell met her partner Angell Garrigan three years ago at Rehab, a now-closed queer bar that was in Wheaton, Md. They relax by going to happy hours together a few times a week and going to the movies.

“We’re so boring,” she says. They live together in Alexandria, Va., and Bell enjoys dancing, writing and planning events in her spare time. “It’s hard for me to relax,” she says. “To truly relax, I have to go on vacation.”

How long have you been out and who was the hardest person to tell?

I’ve been out since I was 19. The hardest person to tell was my mother because I thought she would be disappointed in me.

Who’s your gay hero?

The young kids who come out in middle school and high school every day. It warms my heart to see so much courage and pride in our LGBT youth. I wish I had enough courage to come out earlier in high school like them. They are our future heroes!

What’s Washington’s best nightspot, past or present?

I think Chaos was a great nightspot, especially for the women’s community. It’s been hard to recreate that same vibe and sense of community.

What’s your dream gay wedding?

All-expense-paid wedding in Hawaii

What non-gay issue are you most passionate about?

Animal cruelty and domestic violence.

What historical outcome would you change?

Any celebrity or athlete who has gotten away with murder or rape because he or she is famous. I still can’t believe that we still allow these people to get away with anything and everything.

What’s been the most memorable pop culture moment of your lifetime?

The recent passing of Michael Jackson. His life and music has had a huge influence on my life.

On what do you insist?

Honesty and respect.

What was your last Facebook post or Tweet?

Eboné Bell is up and at ’em! Groceries, gym and cleaning.

If your life were a book, what would the title be?

“A Class by Myself”

If science discovered a way to change sexual orientation, what would you do?

Absolutely nothing. I love who I am and I’m proud of it!

What do you believe in beyond the physical world?

I believe in a higher power. I don’t believe in the God that religious organizations have changed through time. I believe in the God who loves all his people no matter what. I believe if you do right in this world, then that’s exactly what you’ll get back.

What’s your advice for LGBT movement leaders?
Continue to stay visible and vigilant. The best thing we can do to fight homophobia is continue to educate, be positive and be visible.

What would you walk across hot coals for?

My partner. She is not only my lover, but my number one supporter and best friend. She believes in me when I don’t believe in myself. I can’t imagine life without her.

What gay stereotype annoys you most?

That someone is the “boy” in the relationship and someone is the “girl.”

What’s your favorite gay movie?
“Boys Don’t Cry.” Though the story itself is very sad, this movie helped me with dealing with my identity and being comfortable in my own skin.

What’s the most overrated social custom?

Calling people ma’am or sir. I think people equate it with age so immediately people tell you not to call them that.

What trophy or prize do you most covet?

To be on “Oprah.” I love her!

What do you wish you’d known at 18?

I should have started saving money more wisely.

Why Washington?

I grew up in the area and I feel I still have a lot to offer the city.

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Bars & Parties

MAL kicks off Jan. 11 with Bootcamp

Mid-Atlantic Leather begins with party at Bunker

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MAL Weekend kicks off next week. (Image courtesy of Bunker)

Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend arrives next week with a kickoff event Thursday, Jan. 11 from 10 p.m.-3 a.m. at Bunker. Organizers at Kinetic promise a surprise drill sergeant who will whip you into shape. Joshua Ruiz DJs the event. This event is for VIP pass holders only; visit kineticpresents.com for details.

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Bars & Parties

A roundup of New Year’s Eve parties in D.C.

Celebrate the start of 2024 in style

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Xavier Entertainment LLC will host the seventh annual Times Square NYE Celebration at 10 p.m. at Ivy City Smokehouse. Tickets start at $20 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

New Year’s Eve 2024 at Lost Society will be at 7 p.m. at Lost Society. There will be unique entertainment all night along with a journey of the senses through captivating light shows and LED displays, music, and bottle service presentations throughout the evening. Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Busboys and Poets will host New Year’s Eve Open Mic and Party at 10 p.m. at 2021 14th St., N.W. This will be an evening of poetry, live DJ, dancing, food, and good company in a vibrant atmosphere where local artists take the stage, showcasing their talents in various genres. The night will be hosted by the talented Charity Blackwell and will feature award-winning poet Black Chakra. Dyanna Monet will deejay. Tickets start at $15 and can be purchased on Eventbrite

QueerTalk DC will host Sapphic New Year’s Celebration at 8 p.m. at FigLeaf Bar & Lounge. The event will celebrate Sapphic, trans, and non-binary communities and feature complimentary hors D’oeuvres, a Champagne toast and DJ sets by DJ Clamazon and DJ Q. For more details, visit Eventbrite

The Queers Upstairs will host Heels & Ties: A Queer New Years Eve Surprise at 9 p.m. at Aliceanna Social Club. This evening will be an unforgettable LGBTQ New Year’s Eve party where you can sip your favorite cocktails and enjoy small bites while dancing the night away with music from DJ Rosie & DJ Missy. Tickets start at $30 and can purchased on Eventbrite

BuffBoyzz Gay-Friendly Male Strip Clubs will host a male revue that caters to men and women at 8 p.m. at Buffboyzz Male Strippers. The event will be an exciting, entertaining and sexy show of exotic male dancers in that will entertain your pants off. Tickets start at $10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite

International Events Washington DC will host the 2024 Black Tie New Year’s Eve Gala at 7:30 p.m. at the Willard InterContinental Washington, D.C. There will be free-flowing Champagne, an open bar, a spectacular balloon drop in the Euro Discotheque Ballroom and live bands and DJs. For dinner, guests can choose from an elegant sit-down, three-course dinner with Champagne or a dinner buffet of international cuisine. Tickets start at $189 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Social Architects will host the 12th Annual New Year’s Eve Casino Night at 8 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Arlington, Va. There will be six rooms of entertainment spread across three floors. The DJs will spin hip hop, R&B, salsa, Afrobeats and old school music. Tickets start at $60 and can be purchased on Eventbrite

Pitchers and A League of Her Own will host a NYE party with complimentary Champagne toast at midnight, party favors, and a DJ all night long.

Shaker’s plans a drag extravaganza with Tatianna and Crystal Edge among others starting at 10:30 p.m.; the $10 cover includes a glass of Champagne. 

Bunker hosts a 12-hour masquerade ball with several DJs, including Joe Gauthreaux. The party starts at 9 p.m. and goes until 9 a.m. on Jan. 1. Tickets start at $45 and are available at bunkerdc.com.

DJ Alex Love spins NYE at Dirty Goose with drink specials at midnight.

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Bars & Parties

Labor Day sees return of SunFestival to Rehoboth Beach

DJs, live auction, comedy and more planned for end-of-summer bash

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A scene from previous SunFestival celebrations. (Blade file photo by Daniel Truitt)

Labor Day Weekend in Rehoboth Beach brings more than the end of summer — it brings the annual SunFestival celebration benefitting CAMP Rehoboth.

The weekend promises two nights of revelry with entertainers and nationally known DJs creating the “ultimate party to close out summer” Sept. 2-3.

Saturday’s $45 general admission tickets are sold out but you can join a waitlist at the event’s website. That ticket grants you access to a comedy show and an auction where you can bid on six experiences like an eight-day boat tour through Belgium and the Netherlands or a week’s stay in Lisbon, Portugal. Organizations have donated these experiences to CAMP to auction off, with all proceeds going to the organization.

The $95 pass to both nights is also sold out. But general admission tickets for the Sept. 3 dance party starting at 7 p.m. with DJs Robbie Leslie and Joe Gauthreaux remain available. CAMP Rehoboth promises a “state-of-the-art club-like atmosphere,” with new design elements and video imaging.

Visit camprehoboth.com for tickets and more information. The weekend’s schedule is below:

Saturday, Sept. 2: A Night of Comedy, Drag, and Song, plus a LIVE Auction! (Doors Open at 6:30 p.m. Auction and show promptly start at 7:30 p.m.) Featuring Dixie Longate and Randy Roberts.

Serving up Tupperware lady realness, join in Dixie’s living room party and all its hilarity. Randy Roberts brings thrills with uncanny impersonations of iconic female vocalists and cabaret.

Experience a night filled with laughter and song as these talented performers will lift your spirits and tickle your funny bone. And not to be missed: the live auction. Check out the live auction items camprehoboth.com/sunfest2023live.

Sunday Sept. 3: A Night of Dance. (Doors open at 7 p.m. Dance ends at 1 a.m.) Featuring DJ Robbie Leslie and DJ Joe Gauthreaux.

Both DJs will offer an unforgettable musical journey starting with classic mirror ball memories, dance floor anthems, and the latest club beats, according to a CAMP Rehoboth statement. Events are held at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, which CAMP promises will be transformed “into the ultimate dance party to close out the summer.”

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